Description from imdb:In 1860s Britain, a boy inventor finds himself caught in the middle of a deadly conflict over a revolutionary advance in steam power.

Interesting trivia from imdb:When Ray is walking through the city of Manchester at the beginning of the movie, for a few seconds Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels can be seen talking together on the street (Marx is the smaller one with white hair and beard; Engels is the taller one with the mustache). Both men were living in Britain at the time the film takes place.

Daddy has been steampunked!

My two-bits:In-a-word(s): for the love of science (and technology)

Not the most engaging storyline as there is a weird meld of science and technology. Heavy opinions and preaching on science and technology also were a turn off.

But, I loved the animation. The gears and pulleys and levers and general steampunk feel was exciting to see. Worth watching for the visuals. Amazing steam castle!

According to wikipedia:With an initial production cost of US$26,000,000, Steamboy is the most expensive full length Japanese animated movie made to date. Additionally, the film was in production for ten years and utilized more than 180,000 drawings and 440 CG cuts.

* part of The Hello Japan! mini-challenges hosted by In Spring It Is The Dawn, February Task - to appreciate Japanese film. I selected this film because I've enjoyed Japanese animation in the past and wanted to see the marriage of anime and steampunk.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

... The beast bellowed loudly in pain and charged at Mr. Knightley and Emma.

The beast charging towards them was a wolf, but unlike any other wolf Emma had ever seen. It was easily larger than a man with black fur. Its eyes glowed yellow and were filled with anger, hate, and human intelligence. It locked eyes with Mr. Knightley and seemed to recognize him.

The blade he had thrown had hit the beast on its side and was still embedded in its flesh. Just before the wolf hit the couple, he threw Emma out of the way to safety. She rolled across the floor until she hit her head on a tree stump and came to rest. She felt a little dazed, but was unhurt.

Mr. Knightley, meanwhile was on the floor with the gigantic wolf above him. He was struggling to keep the thing’s jaws away from his face by shoving his forearms against its throat. She frantically looked around for a weapon. She found a fallen tree branch, ran over to the struggling pair, and hit the beast in the side as hard as she possibly could.

The beast wasn’t hurt very much, but it took its attention from Mr. Knightley to Emma. Taking advantage of Emma’s diversion, he produced another silver dagger from his other cuff and stabbed the creature and twisted the blade into its abdomen. As the wolf howled in pain, he scurried out from beneath the beast and ran to Emma just as she was batted away by a new wolf.

This wolf was just as large and had russet fur, with the same eerie yellow eyes. Mr. Knightley produced a pistol from his belt and shot at the new wolf. Without looking to see if the shot had landed, he grabbed Emma from where she had fallen and ran deeper into the woods.

After a few minutes, they sought refuge behind a large tree. He produced a ball of silver from his pocket and took out some matches. He waited until he could hear the wolves carefully tracking them. He lit the fuse on the ball and threw it in the direction of the wolves.

He hugged Emma, covered her ears, and pressed close to the tree so the blast wouldn’t hurt them. “There was an explosion and wails of pain as silver shrapnel erupted and sprayed” the two wolves.*

Mr. Knightley ran to the wounded animals and cut their throats with his last silver dagger to ensure their deaths.

Emma breathed a sigh of relief as she gazed upon the dead beasts. She and Mr. Knightley embraced and started the walk back to the picnic site.

the end

* Taken from page 94 of Emma and the Werewolves by Jane Austen and Adam Rann.

A body hung above Emma’s head. The dead man’s body was mangled horribly. All of the limbs had been ripped away and claw marks covered the entirety of the torso. The only unmarked spot on the man was his blood splattered face. His face was frozen in a death mask with his blue eyes wide with terror and his mouth open in a grotesque, silent scream. As Emma processed this horrific sight, her stomach lurched as she made the final realization: that the man was hung with no rope, but with the dead man’s own intestine.*

Emma fell to her knees on the mossy ground and vacated the pigeon pie, cucumber sandwiches, and strawberry lemonade she had eaten earlier from her stomach.

Mr. Knightley was horrified as well, but kept his composure. He recognized the man as “Mr. Johnson, a kind man of good measure [who] had set out the night before on the simple errand of fetching an apothecary for his ailing wife” and had never returned.**

Mr. Knightley produced a silver blade from the cuff of his sleeve and looked around to see if the beast was still in the area. Emma realized that this was no ordinary beast, but could not think of what it could be. Mr. Knightley gallantly helped her up, still keeping attention to his surroundings. He heard a twig snap as someone tread on it out of sight, followed by the growl of a large animal. He threw the blade towards the source. The beast bellowed loudly in pain and charged at Mr. Knightley and Emma.

to be continued

* This scene was found on page 34 in Emma and the Werewolves by Jane Austen and Adam Rann and is elaborated upon by the author.

** This passage is found on page 34 in Emma and the Werewolves by Jane Austen and Adam Rann.

Given their inability to ensnare through flattery or exceptional dress, the werewolves have adapted their feeding grounds near college campuses. The better to snag unsuspecting drunken college students in the wee hours of the night...

Werewolf Common Sense 2A werewolf's physique is built for strength and speed. Though werewolves work hard at keeping such uncanny attributes hidden, accidents do happen.

Careful monitoring is necessary when dealing with their feeble human counterparts.

The picnic thus far had been a success. Everyone had eaten their fill of delicious food (especially pigeon pies) and engaged in genial conversation with each other. Even the insufferable Mrs. Elton had been surprisingly pleasant to all. Since it was so close to evening, the partygoers would soon have to go home.

After the animal attacks of the previous weeks, being indoors by sundown was strongly encouraged to ensure safety. No one had actually seen the beast yet, but the mutilated carcasses of their livestock were enough of a warning. Mr. Martin had expected that the creature was huge, judging by the enormity of the claw marks found on the flank of his poor milk cow.

Everyone helped pack up so they could get home as soon as possible. The picnic had gone on a little longer than expected and the sun was already going down. The sunshine and enjoyment of the afternoon made the beast seem worlds away and lifted the gloom that had surrounded them all week.

Emma was packing up her basket when Mr. Knightley came up to her and asked, “Would you walk with me for a short time while everyone else packs up? There’s something I want to tell you.”

Emma studied Mr. Knightley’s countenance and noticed there were dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn’t been sleeping. He also moved a little stiffly and looked a bit disheveled. Emma, curious about his condition, smiled and replied, “Of course. Just for a short time.”

They walked down a path in the woods and when they could no longer see their friends, they stopped. Mr. Knightley turned to Emma. “I know I don’t seem like myself today and I wanted to confide in you. I just don’t know what to do and I need your advice.”

Emma mentally prepared herself and put an encouraging smile on her face. “Of course. We have all been worried about you. I will do anything I can to help.”

Mr. Knightley was about to say something, but he suddenly stopped when a splash of warm liquid fell on Emma’s forehead and then on her shoulder. She wiped it away with her gloved hand and it came away red, dripping with blood. She looked up and screamed in horror.

to be continued

* This scene was found on page 34 in Emma and the Werewolves by Jane Austen and Adam Rann and is elaborated upon by the author.

Description from the amazon:Beware the howls in the darkness and the light of the full moon. As the ever headstrong Ms. Emma Woodhouse schemes and plots as matchmaker, a dark and deadly terror descends upon Highbury.

A series of bestial murders fills the residents with fear as the ever mysterious Mr. Knightley leads a secret life, unknown to all, combating evils not of this Earth.

Carnage and destruction reign throughout the land, and though the residents of Highbury try to attend to day-to-day matters as civilly as possible, each cannot help but wonder what lurks in the shadows and if it'll be coming for them next.

Excerpt from Charmed article:We've also heard claims that Aisha is going to be India's most fashion-forward movie. "Well, it is a chick-flick. And what do girls love the most? Clothes, shoes, jewellery, make up — we've paid attention to them in the movie," she discloses about the film produced by her father Anil Kapoor.read more

Description from the amazon:Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are looking forward to a relaxing stay with dear friends when their carriage is hailed by a damsel-in-distress outside of the village of Highbury. Little do the Darcys realize that gypsies roam these woods, or that both their possessions and the woman are about to vanish into the night.

The Darcys seek out the parish magistrate, who is having a difficult evening of his own. Mr. Knightley and his new wife, the former Miss Emma Woodhouse (the heroine of Jane Austen's Emma) are hosting a party to celebrate the marriage of their friends, Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Jane Fairfax. During dinner, Mr. Edgar Churchill, uncle and adoptive father of the groom, falls suddenly ill and dies. The cause of death: poison.

When the Darcys and the Knightleys join forces to investigate the crimes, they discover that the robbery and Edgar Churchill's death may be connected. Together they must work to quickly locate the source of the poison and the murderer's motive--before the killer can strike again.

Emma rolled her eyes and grinned one last time at Sylvia. “Goodbye,” she told the fairy before racing out of the woods.

Sylvia could hear Emma replying to her Mr. Knightley with an edge of temper, “I am here, sir. There is no need to shout so. You will frighten the forest creatures.”

“What on earth were you doing walking around in the woods by yourself?” he demanded.

“Just taking a refreshing stroll to clear my head of all the dreary conversations,” Emma said. “Really, Mr. Knightley, you can hardly blame me.”

He huffed. “You are forgetting your responsibility here and your position amongst the guests.” He picked a few leaves off her dress and brushed away a twig that had lodged itself onto the top of her bonnet. “Really, Emma. Take more care next time.”

Sylvia bobbed her head in the direction of Jane Fairfax. “There is a gentleman here today that is perfect for her. A gentleman with whom she has a secret acquaintance.”

“Really?” Emma cried, most intrigued by this odd turn of circumstances. Had the mysterious man, who was secretly in love with Miss Fairfax despite marrying another (or so Emma had been told!), recently come into the area? Emma’s gaze darted around the lawn in hopes of being the first to spot the elusive Mr. Dixon. She detected, however, only the irritating Mr. Elton, the kind but rather old Mr. Weston and the tall (and, perhaps, a little rugged) Mr. Churchill discussing something in the far distance. She dismissed them from her mind and continued searching for the long-lost love of Miss Bates’s mousy niece, sighing heavily when she could not locate anyone at all who looked remotely like an adulterous stranger.

Just as she was about to implore Sylvia to please point her in the correct direction, Emma heard a familiar voice bellowing, “Miss Woodhouse? Emma? Where are you?”

“Oh, such bad luck!” Emma said, her vexation not able to be contained. “It is Mr. Knightley,” she explained to the fairy, “and he shall be his usual scolding and cross self again if I do not rush out at once.” She glanced regretfully at Sylvia. “However, I very much enjoyed meeting you. Sorry to not be able to stay to hear your final match.”

The little fairy could hardly trump her skill, but it was so adorable that she aspired to similar goals.

Emma waved her hand at a break in the hedges where Sylvia could see the Box Hill picnickers at play. “Make a match for me,” she requested. “Who in this crowd just there—” She pointed. “Who would make a good couple?”

The fairy easily flew to a branch on a nearby tree to garner a better view. She stared with her tiny bluish eyes most intently at the gathering before blinking three times and smiling at Emma. “I will give you more than you wish. Not one pair, but three. As I have now imagined them perfectly in my mind, the matches are bound to happen.”

Emma grinned. This ought to be delightful! “And your first pairing?”

“Your friend, Miss Harriet Smith. I see her with a tall, rugged gentleman who attends to her every word.” Sylvia glanced around. “I do not see him here at present, but I know him from my prior observations back at Highbury.”

Emma very nearly rolled her eyes. The fairy had to be talking about Mr. Churchill, of course. Although he was not precisely a “rugged” man, nor was he wandering about on the lawn as he had been when last she had seen him, Emma knew that she would meet with success once she set her mind toward bringing him together with her sweet friend.

“Well, that is hardly news,” she told Sylvia. “It is obvious Harriet belongs with a tall gentleman. I know just the one you mean, and I have thought so myself.” She nodded knowingly at the fairy. “Were my former governess here today, I would have told her the same thing.” Emma paused. “I made a rather successful match for her just last year, you know.”

Description from amazon:It begins one day in sophomore English class, just as Ellie Barnett's teacher is assigning Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". From nowhere comes a quiet 'tsk' of displeasure. The target: Sam Blaine, the cute bad boy who's teasing Ellie mercilessly, just as he has since kindergarten.

Entirely unbidden, as Jane might say, the author's ghost has taken up residence in Ellie's mind, and seems determined to stay there. Jane's wise and witty advice guides Ellie through the hell of adolescence and beyond, serving as the voice she trusts, usually far more than her own.

Years and boyfriends come and go - sometimes a little too quickly, sometimes not nearly fast enough. But Jane's counsel is constant, and on the subject of Sam, quite insistent. Stay away, Jane demands. He is your Mr. Wickham. Still, everyone has something to learn about love - perhaps even Jane herself. And lately, the voice in Ellie's head is being drowned out by another, urging her to look beyond everything she thought she knew and seek out her very own, very unexpected, happy ending.

*** Giveaway ***

Win this book.

Open to all.

Offer ends: March 27, 2010

To do:

Read and comment on at least one part of Marilyn's story, A Tale of Two Matchmakers.

Emma felt the curious sting of surprise (being shocked happened so rarely to her), especially when she discovered that the lilting voice belonged to none other than a fairy girl. One who was perched on the trunk of a chopped-down pine-tree and wearing a rather pretty ivory frock, if Emma did say so. Although it was not as pretty as Emma’s own.

She took a step back, but the little girl creature just crossed her tiny arms and sighed. “You are Miss Woodhouse, I presume?” she said, her tone vaguely bored.

“Indeed, I am,” Emma replied. “And you?”

“Miss Sylvia Grayson, second cousin of the Princess of the Faeries. Well, of the current ruling family, anyway. There’s been a bit of discord over the past two centuries and some say the throne should have gone to Marius of the Westleigh clan. But he has always been a little unstable and displayed appalling taste in social situations, so the Board of the Fates gathered together last July and—”

“What are you doing here?” Emma blurted. “In the woods?”

Sylvia sighed. “Oh. Why, I’m looking for diversion, of course. I truly despise fey politicking and the endless arguments that accompany it. I would much prefer to play at love.”

“You are looking to find a mate?”

The fairy girl laughed. “Dear heavens, certainly not! Why would I want to give up my independence? No, I merely wish to help others come together. I believe I am rather well suited to figuring out who might make a good pair.”

Emma warmed to the diminutive creature and smiled at these words. She prided herself on her own astuteness in matchmaking. The little fairy could hardly trump her skill, but it was so adorable that she aspired to similar goals.

‘It was now the middle of June, and the weather fine;and Mrs. Elton was growing impatient to name the day,and settle with Mr. Weston as to pigeon-pies and cold lamb.’

‘Two or three more of the chosen only were to be admitted to join them,and it was to be done in a quiet, unpretending, elegant way,infinitely superior to the bustle and preparation,the regular eating and drinking, and picnic paradeof the Eltons and the Sucklings.’

Emma – Jane Austen

~*~

Here is the proof of how thoroughly organized picnics were at the time. And copious. I shall then leave you with Mrs Beeton (1836-1865), one of the most famous cookery writers of all times, who surely knew how to plan a delightful and generous picnic. The illustrations, drawn and designed by The Book on the Hill’s Illustrator and myself, illustrate Mrs Beeton’s marvellous list. Bon appétit and prepare yourself : your picnic basket shall not be empty.

She slipped into the nearby woods—unseen, thank goodness, by anyone of importance—and she marched around a little in delicious privacy, trying to shake off a most disconcerting feeling. Her irritation began and ended with Mr. Knightley, of course, at least primarily. She found herself muttering aloud, “Why must he always be so very meddlesome, irksome and—”

As she tried to think of another word, she was startled to hear a soft, lilting voice suggest, “Troublesome?”

“Why, yes! Exactly so,” Emma replied, turning around in place but not immediately spotting the owner of the voice. “Er, hello?”

‘It was now the middle of June, and the weather fine;and Mrs. Elton was growing impatient to name the day,and settle with Mr. Weston as to pigeon-pies and cold lamb.’

‘Two or three more of the chosen only were to be admitted to join them,and it was to be done in a quiet, unpretending, elegant way,infinitely superior to the bustle and preparation,the regular eating and drinking, and picnic paradeof the Eltons and the Sucklings.’

Emma – Jane Austen

~*~

Here is the proof of how thoroughly organized picnics were at the time. And copious. I shall then leave you with Mrs Beeton (1836-1865), one of the most famous cookery writers of all times, who surely knew how to plan a delightful and generous picnic. The illustrations, drawn and designed by The Book on the Hill’s Illustrator and myself, illustrate Mrs Beeton’s marvellous list. Bon appétit and prepare yourself : your picnic basket shall not be empty.

They had just packed away the strawberry tartlets when Emma Woodhouse saw that garish Mrs. Elton headed her way, no doubt intending to jabber more about someone’s excessively decorated barouche or the earthly utopia that was her beloved Maple Grove. Emma grimaced. Thankfully, Harriet—darling Harriet!—intercepted the woman, but Emma suspected the dear girl wouldn’t be able to hold her off for long.

With a sense of urgency, Emma glanced around for both an escape route and, if possible, the opportunity to push Harriet more directly into the path of Mr. Frank Churchill. Later, perhaps, in appreciation for Harriet’s sacrifice now, she could finally succeed in that task. Harriet and Mr. Churchill would suit perfectly. (Emma just knew it!) They just needed a little…nudge.

However, neither of these objectives seemed attainable at the moment, as Mr. Knightley had been keeping a rather watchful eye on her all afternoon. What an irritating gentleman he could be! Always parading his civility about like some other man would display a showy riding horse or a fancy waistcoat, and his relentless firmness with her was almost as tiresome as one of Miss Bates’s speeches.

But, oh, look!

Mrs. Elton had managed to snag Mr. Knightley as well as poor Harriet into her discussion. Emma took a quick breath. Still, as unfortunate as that was for her dear friend and her scolding neighbor, she knew a good opportunity when she saw one.

‘It was now the middle of June, and the weather fine;and Mrs. Elton was growing impatient to name the day,and settle with Mr. Weston as to pigeon-pies and cold lamb.’

‘Two or three more of the chosen only were to be admitted to join them,and it was to be done in a quiet, unpretending, elegant way,infinitely superior to the bustle and preparation,the regular eating and drinking, and picnic paradeof the Eltons and the Sucklings.’

Emma – Jane Austen

~*~

Here is the proof of how thoroughly organized picnics were at the time. And copious. I shall then leave you with Mrs Beeton (1836-1865), one of the most famous cookery writers of all times, who surely knew how to plan a delightful and generous picnic. The illustrations, drawn and designed by The Book on the Hill’s Illustrator and myself, illustrate Mrs Beeton’s marvellous list. Bon appétit and prepare yourself : your picnic basket shall not be empty.

Per wikipedia:George Knightley is a main character in Jane Austen's novel Emma written in 1816. He is a friend of Emma's, although the disparity in age is nearly seventeen years. He enjoys correcting Emma, as Emma observes in chapter 1.

Mr Knightley in the book - The wealthy Mr. Knightley is a very kind and compassionate person. He represents good judgment, high moral character, and maturity in contrast to Emma's adolescent personality. One incident which displays this is his disappointment when he sees Emma insult Miss Bates, a spinster of modest means. Mr. Knightley's later reprimand of Emma also demonstrates his affection and esteem for her as a friend. Another incident which shows his quality is his anger with Emma for persuading Harriet Smith to refuse Robert Martin's proposal of marriage, Martin being in Knightley's eyes an eminently suitable mate for Harriet.